History

Uganda Christian University replaced the historic Bishop Tucker Theological College which trained clergy and educators during its 100 history. The local chief, Hamu Mukasa, granted land for the college to operate in Mukono.

International partnerships were part of the Bishop Tucker Theological College’s missionary history. The Church Mission Society teamed up with Ugandan leaders and others to assure the College had the necessary intellectual and other capital.
In 1992, the House of Bishops made a decision to start a Provincial University. The church wanted to have broader impact on society through university education – not only educating clergy but other professionals as well. As a result, UCU was born in 1997. Located in Mukono, less than an hour’s drive from the capital city Kampala, Uganda Christian University is one of Uganda’s leading teaching and research universities.

Major Highlights

1996  

  • Church of Uganda decision to transform BTTC into a University of the Anglican Church

1997          

  • Uganda Christian University established by the Trustees of the Church of Uganda
  • Retired Archbishop Livingston Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo, becomes the Chancellor of UCU
  • Rev. Eliphaazi Maari, Principal of BTTC then, becomes the Acting Vice-Chancellor
  • Bishop Dunstan Bukenya appointed as the first University Secretary
  • UCU begins by offering Bachelors of Divinity, Arts with Education, Business Administration, Social Work and Social Administration, as well as Diploma in Social Work and Social Administration and Business Administration
  • 270 students admitted

1998       

  • Uganda Christian University Partners (USA) is established
  • “Scholars and Friends” Scholarship Scheme starts
  • Master of Arts in Theology, Bachelor of Laws and Diploma in Project Planning and Management are launched
  • Law Faculty is established
  • 466 students admitted

1999  

  • Bachelor of Education starts
  • 660 students admitted

2000     

  • Professor Stephen Noll appointed first Vice-Chancellor, installed during first graduation ceremony of the University
  • UCU graduates first batch of students
  • Bishop Barham (Kabale) comes under UCU’s oversight as the first Constituent University College, with Rev. Canon George Tibeesigwa as the first Principal
  • Relationship with International Christian Medical Institute established
  • 1,109 students admitted

2001      

  • 1557 students admitted, 201 graduate

2002      

  • Nkoyoyo Multi-Purpose Hall is opened
  • Compulsory core courses later renamed Foundation Studies begin
  • First visit by UCU Partners Team
  • Bachelor of Development Studies is introduced
  • UCU establishes the Honours College
  • 2,492 students admitted; 2,130 in Mukono, 362 in Kabale

2003           

  • UCU Kampala, Mbale, and Arua campuses start
  • UCU selected as first African University affiliate of the US Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU)
  • Uganda Studies Programme launched (USP Study Abroad Programme)
  • UCU’s vision statement “A Centre of Excellence in the Heart of Africa” is adopted
  • Global South Institute is established
  • UCU Mission week programme launched
  • A vocational centre adjacent to UCU is acquired and becomes Technology Park.
  • Work on All Nations House and Christ Church House begins
  • Bachelor of Science in Information Technology is introduced
  • 3,239 students admitted; 2,664 in Mukono; 480 in Kabale; 159 in Kampala; 95 in Mbale

Facts & Figures

Motto

Alpha and Omega: God the Beginning and the End

Vision

A Centre of Excellence in the Heart of Africa

Mission

To Equip Students for Productive, Holistic Lives of Christian Faith and Service

Theme

A Complete Education for A complete Person

Founded

1997

Founder

Church of Uganda

Chancellor

The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu,
Archbishop of the Church of Uganda

Vice Chancellor

Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi

Chairperson, University Council

Assoc. Prof. Rt. Rev. Alfred Olwa

Students

Over 13,000 students

Faculties & Schools

Seven (7) Faculties and Five (5) Schools

Alumni

169,000 alumni spread across the globe

Campuses & Regional Colleges

Over five locations country-wide

2004           

  • Charter granted to UCU and delivered by H.E the President of the Republic of Uganda during the opening of the Technology Park on May 20 2004
  • Broadband Internet installed
  • Master of Arts in Literature is introduced
  • 3,673 students admitted: 3,012 in Mukono, 797 in Kabale, 221 in Kampala, 371 in Mbale, Arua 278

2005           

  • Bishop Barham College in Kabale attains constituent college status
  • Maari Lecture room block is opened
  • Save the Mothers Programme is launched to reduce maternal mortality
  • Save the Mother’s House, “Mirembe House”, is opened
  • Children’s Library is opened
  • New programmes launched: Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership and Management, Master of Human Resource Management in Education, Master of Public Health Leadership (Save the Mothers), Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Bachelor of Business Computing, Bachelor of Procurement and Logistics Management, Bachelor of Industrial and Fine Art and Bachelor of Community Leadership and Development and Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Information Technology are launched.
  • 5,080 l students admitted:; 4,335 in Mukono, 789 in Kabale, 304 in Kampala, 263 in Mbale; Arua 243

2006    

  • The Dining Hall and Sabiti Hall of residence are opened
  • Bishop Barham University College (Kabale) approved by National Council for Higher Education as a constituent college of UCU, the first of its kind in Uganda
  • Development and External Relations section is established
  • School of Research and Postgraduate Studies is established
  • UCU’s first Strategic Plan (2006-2015) is developed, calling for emphasis on Sciences
  • International Students’ Desk is established
  • New academic programmes launched including: Master of Clinical Counselling Psychology; Bachelor of Economics and Management; Bachelor of Arts in Languages; Bachelor of Library and Information Science; Bachelor of Nursing Science (for advanced level applicants); Bachelor of Public Administration and Management and Bachelor of Child Development and Children’s Ministry
  • 6,865 students admitted; 5,773 in Mukono, 636 in Kabale, 334 in Kampala, 390 in Mbale; 401 in Arua

 


2007           

  • Introduction of Theological Scholarships
  • UCU tenth Anniversary celebrations (1977 – 2007)
  • UCU approved as member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability
  • UCU receives US Government funding contribution to the construction of the girls’ hall of residence
  • New main gate, water fountain, sports facilities and ICMI building are opened by Lord George Carey, the founding patron of UCU
  • UCU wins national champions in women’s basketball
  • University reported as one of the 100 top universities in Africa, according to the university rankings
  • UCU hosts inter-university games
  • Kivengere lecture room block and Nsibambi men’s hall of residence are opened
  • New academic programmes are introduced: Master of Information Technology, Master of Nursing Science and Master of Divinity; as well as a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
  • 8,291 students admitted; 6,962 in Mukono; 636 in Kabale; 394 in Kampala; 497 in Mbale; 401 in Arua

2008           

  • Curriculum review conducted
  • Mirembe building funded by Save the Mothers Programme is opened
  • New academic programmes introduced: Master of Public Administration and Management and Master of Arts in Development Studies; as well as Bachelor of Entrepreneurship and Project Planning; Bachelor of Computational Science, Bachelor of Environmental Science, Bachelor of Agricultural Science and Entrepreneurship and Bachelor of Community Health
  • 8,274 students admitted; 7,175 in Mukono; 904 in Kabale; 460 in Kampala; 517 in Mbale; 347 in Arua

2009      

  • Establishment of the Alumni Office
  • Words of Hope Building (hosting a radio station and Mass Communication department) is opened
  • Law Students participate in International “Jessup Moot Court” competition in Washington DC
  • New academic programmes launched: Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration and Management as well as Postgraduate Diploma in Development Evaluation Studies
  • 9,399 students admitted: 7,272 in Mukono; 930 in Kabale; 477 in Kampala; 735 in Mbale; 393 in Arua

2010

    • The first Vice Chancellor Rev. Prof. Stephen Noll retires
    • The second Vice Chancellor, Rev. Canon Dr. John Senyonyi is appointed
    • Ssuubi Lecture room block is opened
    • New academic courses introduced: Master of Translation and Language Development; Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Health
    • 9,646 total students; 7,897 in Mukono; 914 in Kabale; 580 in Kampala; 1,092 in Mbale and 392 in Arua

2011   

  • Oil and Gas Institute established
  • Institute of Faith, Learning and Service is established
  • New University Theme “A complete Education for A Complete Person” is launched
  • Ham Mukasa Main Library is opened
  • Garry Guest House is opened
  • New academic programmes: Doctor of Ministry; Master of Public Health; Master of Arts in Theology and Divinity; Master of Arts in Theology (Focus on Islam for Mission and Ministry); Master of Arts in Theology and Healthcare Management; Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering; and Bachelor of Guidance and Counselling
  • 11,437 students admitted: 8,079 in Mukono; 1,462 in Kabale; 867 in Kampala; 1,365 in Mbale; and 531 in Arua
  • UCU graduates the first lot of the Masters programme in Nursing

2012       

  • Science laboratories are opened
  • New academic programmes begin: Bachelor of Human Resource Management and International Business
  • 11,647 students admitted 8,121 Mukono, 1,541 Mbale, 427 Arua and 1,558 Kabale

2013           

  • UCU celebrates 100 years of Bishop Tucker Theological College
  • UCU hosts Uganda Martyrs Day General Thanks Giving at Namirembe Cathedral (Chief Guest, H.E the President of Uganda)
  • UCU hosts Inter-University Games
  • New Academic programmes are introduced: Post graduate Diploma in Christian Ministries; Bachelor of Administrative and Secretarial Services as well as Diplomas in Procurement and Logistics Management, Secretarial Services, Library and Information Science, Professional and Applied Ethics and Nutrition and Child Care
  • UCU Main Campus was voted among the 50 most beautiful campuses among Christian Colleges & Universities worldwide & the best in Africa
  • 5656 students admitted 2965 Mukono; Kampala; 773 Mbale; 1793 Kabale and 125 Arua

2014       

  • UCU celebrates 10th anniversary of the Charter
  • Faculty of Health Sciences established
  • 6,794 students admitted 4,292 Mukono;1,097 Kampala; 1,082 Mbale; and 323 Arua
  • Stephen and Peggy Noll lecture block commissioned
  • UCU hosts the Eastern Africa Regional Interuniversity Games.
  • UCU, the first in Uganda to have Broadcasting Studios for Radio and Television Recording.
  • The University Council approved UCU’s Core Values (Christ Centeredness, Diligence, Integrity, Servanthood,

Stewardship)


2015   

  • Lady Canons win the Uganda Basketball championship
  • Mbale campus becomes a constituent college
  • UCU wins the 8th National Council for Higher Education Exhibition.
  • UCU ranked 2nd in the National Employers Survey carried out & published by The New Vision newspaper.
  • UCU introduces the “Think Tank” UCU Africa Policy Centre

2016   

  • Mbale University College holds its first graduation
  • UCU Signed an MOU with Mengo Hospital to start a Medical School
  • Lady Canons win FUBA women’s league for the 3rd time
  • 6,428 students admitted 5,807 Mukono;621 Kampala
  • Emerged winners at the 2016 second Biennial Strathmore Moot Court Competition in Nairobi, Kenya

2017       

  • First phase of the road construction starts at the main campus
  • Kampala Campus construction ground breaking held
  • The Standard Community Newspaper celebrates 10 years.

2018         

  • School of Medicine and School of dentistry established.

2020   

  • Former Vice Chancellor, Rev. Canon. Dr. John Senyonyi is replaced by Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi.
  • UCU gets new Chancellor, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu and the Chairperson, Univeristy Council Rt. Rev. Prof. Alfred Olwa.
  • National Council for Higher Education permits UCU to conduct online learning.
  • UCU carries out a number of strides with alpha online system i.e conducted the first virtual Guild elections, pre-entry exams for Law, Dental Surgery, and Medicine.

2021     

  • UCU becomes a model University for elearning.
  • Kampala Campus gets its new home.
  • UCU signs various MoUs with different entities notably; Next Media Services, Uganda Redcross, Stanbic Bank.
  • BasketBall team emerges winners of 3X3 continetal contest and qualified to represent Africa in China in 2022.

2022     

  • UCU qualifies to represent Africa for the Global Rounds in the World Trade Organisations Moot.
  • Bishop Tucker Building makes 100 years.
  • UCU celebrates 25 years of existence.